Waiting for the Harvest 等候收成

[Dexu Xia]

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Today's Scripture Galatians 6:7-11

Today's Insights

In Galatians 6:7-10, Paul emphasizes the theme of sowing and reaping—that is, that the choices we make come with real consequences. A life guided by “the flesh” (self-reliant human nature focused on self-gratification—5:16-21) inevitably leads to “destruction,” whereas a life guided by Christ’s Spirit leads to “eternal life” (6:8) and an abundant “harvest” (v. 9). Remembering this principle can strengthen the resilience and fortitude of believers in Jesus as they seek to “serve one another humbly in love” (5:13). Every action guided by the Spirit matters greatly. Sometimes the path of sharing the gospel and living like Christ can be exhausting, and results may not be obvious. But believers can be assured that their witness to Jesus’ love in words and lifestyle will lead to good results that will last for eternity.

Today's Devotion

In 1962, Joanne Shetler and Anne Fetzer made an arduous trek by bus and foot into the rugged mountains of the Philippines to share the gospel with people who’d never heard of Jesus.

For five years, they translated Scripture into the people’s language, but the Balangao villagers weren’t receptive. They did, however, help build a primitive landing strip so new supplies could be flown in. One day, a plane dubbed “magic from another world” by the people arrived. The pilot then flew a deathly ill, pregnant village woman to a faraway clinic. When the plane later returned with the recovered woman and her healthy newborn, the people began asking about “this God” they’d been told about. Soon the village had a church full of believers in Christ.

All of us who share the story of Jesus have times of discouragement when our listeners don’t seem to hear. The apostle Paul knew that can happen. After explaining to the Galatians the importance of planting and harvesting the gospel, he recognized that a sower may grow tired. So he challenged his listeners not to “become weary in doing good” (Galatians 6:9).           

The first five years of Joanne and Anne’s work was surely discouraging. But they kept sowing, and eventually they reaped a harvest. Let’s not “give up” (v. 9). Surely, the message of salvation will “reap eternal life” (v. 8).

Reflect & Pray

Why do you sometimes grow weary in sharing the gospel? What’s your sure hope?

Dear God, please help me to hang in there and keep sowing when a loved one seems disinterested in the gospel. By Dave Branon

“我们行善不可丧志，若不灰心，到了时候就要收成。”（加拉太书6章9节)

今日经文：加拉太书6章7-11 节

今日感悟 在加拉太书6章7-10节中，保罗强调了“撒种与收割”的主题，即我们所做的每一个选择，都会带来切实的后果。若生命受“肉体”（即那种依靠自我、专注于自我满足的人性，5:16-21）所引导，必将无可避免地走向“败坏”；反之，若生命受基督的灵所引导，并结出丰盛的收成（9节），则将通向“永生”（6:8）。铭记这一原则，能增强耶稣信徒的韧性与毅力，使他们在努力“以爱心彼此服事”时更加坚定。每一个受圣灵引导的行动都至关重要。有时，在传扬福音并活出基督样式的道路上，我们会感到筋疲力尽，且成效似乎并不显著。但信徒可以确信：无论是在言语上还是生活方式上，他们为耶稣之爱所作的见证，终将结出美好的果实，且其价值将存留直到永恒。

 今日灵修 1962年，乔安妮·谢特勒和安妮·费策尔历经艰辛，搭乘巴士，然后徒步深入菲律宾崎岖的山区，向那些从未听闻过耶稣的人传扬福音。 在随后的五年里，她们将圣经翻译成当地人的语言，但是，巴兰高村的村民们起初.并不接受福音。不过，他们确实协助修建了一条简陋的飞机跑道，以便空运补给物资。一天，一架飞机降落了,村民们称它为“来自另一个世界的奇迹”。随后，飞行员载着一位病危的孕妇飞往远方的诊所接受救治。当飞机载着康复后的妇人及其健康的新生儿返航时，村民们开始主动询问她们曾提及的“那位上帝”究竟是谁。不久之后，这座村庄便建立了一座教堂，里面坐满了信靠基督的信徒。

 对于我们所有传扬耶稣故事的人而言，总会有感到灰心沮丧的时候,尤其是当我们觉得听众似乎根本没有听进去的时候。使徒保罗深知，这样的情况确实会发生。在向加拉太人阐明撒播与收割福音的重要性之后，他意识到撒种者有时难免会感到疲惫。因此，他勉励听众不要“因行善而灰心”（加拉太书 6:9）。 毫无疑问，乔安和安妮在开展事工的头五年里经历了不少令人灰心的时刻。但她们始终坚持撒种，最终也确实迎来了丰收。让我们切勿“放弃”（9节）。因为救恩的信息终将使我们“收永生”（8节）。

反思与祷告 为何你在分享福音时，有时会感到疲惫灰心？你那确切的盼望究竟是什么？ 亲爱的上帝，当我的亲人似乎对福音毫无兴趣时，求祢帮助我能坚持到底，继续撒下福音的种子。作者：戴夫 布兰能